Method and means to safely deactivate explosive bearing ordnance



1949 c. s. PIGGOT ETAL METHOD AND MEANS TO SAFELY DEACTIVATE EXPLOSIVEBEARING ORDNANCE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 12, 1944 y/ AT INVENTORSCHARLES S. P1660? 6. MISENER Dec. 20, 1949 c. s. PIGGOT ET AL 2,491,516

METHOD AND MEANS TO SAFELY DEACTIVATE EXPLOSIVE BEARING ORDNANCE FiledJan. 12, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 cuAnLEs' s. $6601- BY menu a. 155mm- VENTDec. 20, 1949 Q s PIGGOT ETAL 2,491,516

METHOD AND MEANS T0 SAFELY DEACTIVATE EXPLOSIVE BEARING ORDNANCE FiledJan. 12, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 u ln INVENTORS amass s. P/eeor BY 0mm 0.MISE/VER Patented Dec. 20, 1949 METHOD AND MEANS 'ro SAFELY nmc'rr va'rnEXPLOSIVE BEARING onmvancn Charles S. Piggot and Carroll 0. Misener,

Was

Application January 12, 1944, Serial No. 517,992

Claims. (Cl. 86-45) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) This invention relates to animproved process of, and apparatus for, gaining access to the interiorof casings containing high explosives, such as the casings of mines andother explosivebearing ordnance.

An important object of the invention is to enable the forming ofopenings of substantial size in such casings by means which are quicklyand easily operable from a remote point in a manner virtually insuringthe safety of disposal personnel.

Another object is to provide improved means involving the use ofrelatively light and simple apparatus which is easily portable, andwhich may be quickly set up and quickly operated, the arrangement beingsuch that in order to set up the necessary apparatus, it is notnecessory for personnel to remain in the presence of theexplosive-bearing ordnance for more than a very few minutes, thusgreatly reducing danger to personnel in the event the explosive-bearingordnance happens to contain a time delay fuze.

Another object of the invention is to provide such apparatus constructedand arranged not only to enter the casing but to permit removal of theexplosive contents of the casing in a rapid,

safe and efiective manner, and which furthermore permits performing suchremoval operation while all personnel still remains at a. distance, ifdesired.

A further object is to provide an improved tool for entering the casingof explosive-bearing ordnance, and for removing the explosive contentsthereof, which tool is adapted to be projected by means of an explosivepropellant, and to penetrate the casing to a predetermined degree, thetool being further provided with means whereby a solvent or othersuitable means for removing or rendering the explosive harmless, may beintroduced into the interior of the case, and which is furthermore soarranged that the explosive may, if desired, be liquified and caused torun from the casing through the tool itself.

Still another object is to provide such a tool which is usable in almostany position and under conditions such that only a portion of the easingof the explosive-bearing ordnance may be accessible.

An object related to that last stated is to provide such a tool which isadapted to form an opening in a lower portion of such a casing, wherebygravity may assist in the removal of the explosive contents.

In the drawing, showing preferred embodiments 2 characters designatesimilar parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a partly diagrammatic side elevational view of a mortar anda tool projectable therefrom and constructed and adapted to be used inaccordance with the present invention, fragmentarily showing a portionof a mine casing in connection with the de-arming of which the tool isto be used.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same, showing the projectile after firingand indicating the position which it then occupies with respect to themine casing.

Figure 3.15 a view partly in substantially diametric longitudinalsection and partly a side elevation of a projectile tool constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

Figures 4 and 5 are side elevational and rear end views respectively ofa modified projectile nose adapted to be substituted for that shown inFigure 3.

Figures 6 and 7 are side elevational and front end views respectively ofanother modified projectile nose adapted to be substituted for thatshown in Figure 3. 1

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cannon-type projectingmeans, fragmentarily showing the projectile tool in position for firing.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a projectile tool ofsomewhat modified form.

Figure 10 is a front elevational view thereof.

Figure 11 is a plan view of a tool of another modified construction.

Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on theline l2-l2 of Figure 11 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 13 is a front end elevational view of the same.

Figure 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of the shank of the tool ofthis embodiment.

Figure l5 is a plan view, partly broken away. of a tool of anothersomewhat modified construction.

Figure 16 is a side elevational view thereof fragmentarily showing theshank.

' Referring now to the drawings, reference character I designates thebarrel of the mortar, which is supported by trunnions 2 in the sideplates 3, which form the carriage, plates 3 being split, as indicated at4, adjacent the trunnions and provided with clamping cap screws 5.Loosening the cap screws permits pointing the gun, which may then befixed in elevation by tightening the bolts. The mortar assembly is shownas bolted of our invention and wherein like reference as to a woodenbase i. and a sandbag 9 may be used to assist in positioning the mortarduring firing. A mine casing is frasmentarily represented at "I.

A preferred form of projectile is shown in Figure 3. It consists of alongitudinally tapered body portion l2, having a pair of longitudinalpassages l3-l4 therein separated by a partition l5 and each having alateral orifice or ports as l'|--l5 openingto the exterior near theforward end thereof. The nose of the projectile is formed as athreadedly attached and replaceable portion 20 shown in Figure 3 as ofconventional ogival shape.

A flared frusto-conic abutment portion 22 to the rear of the taperingsection I! limits pence,

tration of the projectile, and the nipples 23-44 extending through portsin the abutment portion provide communication with the rear ends of thea line substantially perpendicular to the plane of the casing, or to theplane of tangency, at the point of entry, the ogival nose 20 illustratedin Figure 3 is of appropriate shape. Where it is desired to penetrate acase on an inclined or non-radial line, as near the bottom of a minecase,

the chisel-shaped nose 20A illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 is preferable,and may readily be substituted.

Where it is desired to punch a section from the body of the case, a toolas 203, of the contour indicated in Figures 6 and 7, having a front faceformed of two planar surfaces 33, 34, intersecting at an obtuse anglealong a diametrical line, as indicated, functions effectively.

In the somewhat modified construction shown in Figure 8, a breech loadedgun IA is provided, chambered at 28A to receive a metallic blankcartridge. A screw type breech plug, 35, is employed carrying a simpleradially slidable firing pin 31 having a cupped rear portion 38 forminga chamber for the gases generated by the firing squib 39 which, whenfired, projects the pin 31 against the percussion cap of the cartridge(not shown) to fire the same. The firing squib may be retained by asimple screw plug 40 and electrical connections 42 are provided topermit firing the same from a distance. The tool, itself, the body ofwhich is generally designated I2A, may be of similar construction tothat first described, although the shank 25A may, of course, be solidrather than chambered.

In Figures 9 and 10 a somewhat modified tool is shown, designed to punchsections from a casing into which it is projected, and having a head ornose portion 45 the front face of which is generally similar to that ofthe embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7. The head, however, is merelyfrictionally positioned upon the forwardly projecting boss 41 carried bythe tool body I23. The tool is also provided with a flared abutmentportion 223 adapted to limit the extent to which it penetrates the case.The head 45 is of greater diameter than the shank I23, and

easy removal of the shank, the head being left inside the penetratedcase. The head is'thrown free of the body of the tool when the motion ofthe latter is arrested by the abutment section 223. This form of theinvention will be recognized as most convenient for use in punchinginspection holes.

It will be appreciated that it is often desirable to form an opening inthe casing of such an explosive item of ordnance as near the bottom aspossible, to enable as much of the explosive contents to run from thebottom of the casing under the influence of gravity as possible when itis subjected to a melting, washing or other removal operation.

It will be understood that the more inclined is the line of fire of thetool with respect to the casing, the greater the likelihood that thetool will glance from the casing rather than penetrating the same. It isof course desirable to form as large an opening as possible, under mostconditions. Where a chisel-shaped tool, such as that illustrated inFigure 4 is employed. the casing tends to deflect the entering toolinwardly (toward a radial line if the case is curved) thus limiting thesize of the opening formed.

It will be apparent that if such a chisel-shaped tool could be made tocontinue in a substantially straight line, rather than digging orswerving into the casing, a much larger opening could be formed byfiring the tool very obliquely in a manner to strip a section from thecase. The modified chisel-shaped tool illustrated in Figures 11 to 14,inclusive, is designed to function in the manner last indicated. It isprovided with guiding means adapted to prevent the tool from digging orswerving into the casing as a result of the turning action of theinclined chisel surface. As

-best illustrated Figures 11 and 12, the body of this form ofthe toolcomprises a pair of spaced forwardly projecting arms 50, between whichis a shorter chisel body 52 which may be integral with the arms. Achisel blade 54 may be attached to the sloping forward face of thechisel body, as by means of screws 55, and cross bracing means may beprovided for the guide arms 50, in the form of the transverse screw 55and its surrounding spacer bushing 51. Hardened shear plates 59 may becarried by the lower surfaces of the guide arms 50 in the area subjectedto the greatest wear due to the shearing action of the tool as the metalof the case is forced upwardly between the side arms 50 by the inclinedtop surface of the blade.

As indicated in Figures 15 and 16, the guide arms, as 50C, may beconsiderably longer than the guide arms 50 illustrated in Figures 11 and12. This is advantageous in firing from a greater distance, or where thetool is to be used upon a casing of greater radius. Other portions ofthis tool will be seen to be similar to those of the last describedembodiment, the guide arms 53C, however, being formed separately, andthe chisel body 52C also being formed of a separate block. These threemain sections are clamped together by heavy screws 55C, and the shank250 is threaded into the rear end of the chisel block. In thisembodiment also, the chisel block or the area thereof near its cuttingedge may be hardened so that a separate blade is not required.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of ourinvention herein described are well calculated to fulfill the objectsand advantages primarily stated, it will be apparent that thethereforeforms a hole large enough to permit inventionis susceptible tovariation, modification and change within the spirit and scope of thesubjoined claims.

The invention herein described may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government of the United States of America for governmental purposeswithout the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

We claim:

1. A projectable tool for use in removing explosive from a casing, saidtool comprising a body portion having a piercing nose adapted topenetrate such a casing, abutment means carried by said body portion forlimiting the extent to which the tool penetrates the casing, portionscarried by said body portion defining a pair of longitudinal passages,and also defining a pair of ports each communicatingwith the surface ofthe body portion in a forward area thereof and one connected to each ofsaid passages, and portionsdefining a pair of additional ports onecommunicating with each of said passages and each communicating with theexterior of the body portion in an area on the other side of saidabutment means from said forward portion.

2. In combination with a casing substantially filled with explosivematerial, means for forming an opening in the casing without detonatingthe material, comprising a projectable tool including a shank,explosive-actuable means adapted to react against the shank to projectthe tool, a chisel-shaped piercing head carried by the shank, and guidemeans appurtenant the chiselshaped head for controlling the path of thetool after it has impacted such a casing.

3. In combination with a casing substantially filled with explosivematerial, means for forming an opening in the casing without detonatingthe material, comprising a projectable tool including a shank,explosive-actuable means adapted to react against the shank to projectthe tool, a cutting head carried by the shank,,and guide meansappurtenant said cutting head and projecting forwardly and to one sidethereof to engage a casing against which the projectile is fired and toguide the cutting head in a desired path with respect to such casing.

4. In combination with a casing substantially filled with explosivematerial, means for forming an opening in the casing without detonatingthe material, comprising a projectable tool including a shank,explosive-actuable means adapted to react against the shank to projectthe tool, a. cutting head carried by the shank comprisinga chiselportion, and a pair of laterally spaced shearing portions appurtenantsaid chisel portions for assisting in separating the portion of thecasing on the side of the area thereof entered by the chisel portion.

5. In combination with a casing substantially filled with explosivematerial, means for forming an opening in the casing without detonatingthe material, comprising a projectable tool including a shank,explosive-actuable means adapted to react against the shank to projectthe tool, a cutting head carried by the shank comprising a chiselsection, and a pair of shearingportions arranged to cooperate with thesides of the chisel section to shear a strip conforming to the effectivewidth of the chisel from a casing entered by the chisel when the tool isprojected obliquely against the surface of such a casing.

6. In combination with means as set forth in claim 5, guide meansprojecting forwardly of said chisel portion substantially parallel to anaxis corresponding to the line of fire and spaced laterally from thecutting edge of said chisel portion.

7. In combination with means as set forth in claim 5, guide meansprojecting forwardly of said chisel section substantially parallel to anaxis corresponding to the line of fire and spaced laterally from thecutting edge of said chisel section, said shearing portions beingcarried by said guide portions.

8. The method of rendering harmless an encased item of explosive-bearingordnance that comprises the steps of directing at said ordnance from aremote position the nose of an elongated projectile the body portion ofwhich is provided with a longitudinal passage having longitudinallyspaced ports communicating therewith, attaching a flexible conduit to aport communicating with said passage spaced rearwardly of said nose,propelling said projectile from said remote position to pierce thecasing of said ordnance, stopping the penetration of said projectile ata location adjacent said port, and thereafter circulating an explosivereacting fluid through said conduit, said ports and said passage.

9. An apparatus for safely deactivating items of ordnance comprising anelongated tool adapted to be fired from a gun to penetrate saidordnance, said tool having a rearwardly positioned shank portion, anintermediate body portion and a forwardly positioned penetrating noseportion. said body portion having a longitudinal passage and a pair ofsubstantially transversely directed and longitudinally spaced portscommunieating with said passage, penetration impeding means on said bodyintermediate said ports, and means securing a flexible conduit to theport remote from said nose whereby a deactivating agent may beintroduced into said ordnance through said conduit port and passagethereby precluding the necessity for exposing personnel to injury by theunexpected detonation of said ordnance.

10. An apparatus for safely deactivating items 'of ordnance, comprisingan elongated tool having a forward piercing nose portion and a rearward-1y directed shank portion and an intermediate body portion, said bodyportion having a longitudinal passage, forwardly and rearwardlypositioned ports communicating with said passage, penetration impedingmeans on said body intermediate said ports, a flexible conduit securedto said rearwardly positioned port, and said shank portion secured tosaid body at the end opposite said nose, said shank being chambered toreceive a projecting cartridge whereby said tool may be fired from amortar with the flexible conduit attached for introducing an explosivereacting agent into said ordnance in a manner precluding exposure toinjury of operating personnel.

CHARLES S. PIGGOT. CARROLL C. MISENER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS (@ther reierencwon fell 1w:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Dete Pierce Aug. 22, 1865 Ough July29, 1879 Pell et a1. Aug. 7, 1900 Teinple Jan. 18, 1921 Miller Aug. 23,1921 McGill Oct. 18, 1921 Berthelsen Dec. 18, 1921 Swanick May 6, 1924Knight May 6, 1924, Knight May 6, 1924 Number 8 Name Date Knight May 6,1924 Botts May 6, 1924 Allison Aug. 26, 1924 Bowers Sept. 30, 1924Maxwell June 15, 1926 Walker Mar. 20, 1934 Schlumberger Sept. 29, 1936Temple Feb. 6, 1940 Temple Sept. 3, 1940 Cox Aug. 8, 1944 Hopkins July23, 1946 Hoskln June 29, 1948

